Author: Healthcare Propulsion Staff

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have created an experimental cancer treatment based on bacteria that naturally live inside tumors. In preclinical studies involving prostate cancer, the therapy delivered striking results when paired with radiation treatment. The approach halted tumor growth by targeting the cancer cells’ energy supply. The treatment is built from a small fragment of a bacterial protein called aurB. According to findings published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, aurB disrupted energy production within tumor cell mitochondria, effectively depriving tumors of the fuel they need to grow. “The mitochondria are very important for…

A group representing thousands of pharmacies has filed an antitrust suit against Prime Therapeutics, alleging that the company colluded with rival Express Scripts to fix prices. The lawsuit was filed July 2 in Washington federal court by Protecting Access to Retail Pharmacy, LLC, an organization that operates as TRUST, LLC. The group was formed in 2023 by the National Community Pharmacy Association to support pharmacies in investigations and potential litigation to recover controversial direct and indirect remuneration, or DIR, fees from pharmacy benefit managers. Their complaint stems from a 2019 agreement between Express Scripts and Prime, under which Express Scripts…

New research suggests that many of the UK’s most popular takeout meals contain more salt than diners are led to believe. In some cases, a single meal provided well over the recommended daily limit, even though menu labels suggested otherwise. Researchers found that 47% of the takeout foods they tested contained more salt than their stated values. Curries, pasta dishes, and pizzas were among the foods most likely to have higher salt levels than advertised. Although not every restaurant listed salt information on its menu, some meals purchased from independent restaurants in Reading contained more than 10g of salt in…

A randomized controlled trial funded by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation found that time-restricted feeding, a type of intermittent fasting, significantly lowered disease activity and systemic inflammation in adults with Crohn’s disease who also had overweight or obesity. Led by researchers at the University of Calgary, the study is the first to demonstrate that limiting meals to an 8-hour daily window can reduce Crohn’s disease activity by 40% and cut abdominal discomfort by 50% within 12 weeks compared to a typical eating pattern. Participants who followed the intermittent fasting schedule lost an average of about 5.5 pounds during the study,…

Chronic inflammation often develops quietly, without obvious pain or noticeable symptoms. Over time, however, it can contribute to serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, and even cancer. Inside the body, this process is driven by immune cells that release chemical signals to respond to injury or infection. What people eat can influence this activity. Many common foods and seasonings, including herbs, spices, and aromatic plants, contain natural compounds known as phytochemicals that can affect inflammatory pathways. These ingredients have been combined in traditional diets and herbal remedies for centuries, long before their biological roles…

At least 568 healthcare facilities operate through nonprofit-private equity joint ventures, according to a new report calling for scrutiny into those arrangements. The figure is likely an undercount, considering only public data were used. The report (PDF) was published by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP), a nonprofit that advocates for more disclosure about private equity deals. More than a fifth of private equity (PE)-owned hospitals operate under joint venture arrangements with nonprofit health systems. Apollo Global Management-owned Lifepoint Health, for instance, runs nearly two-thirds of its hospitals through joint ventures. Such joint ventures extend beyond hospitals, spanning subsectors such as…

Researchers have pinpointed three already approved medications that may be repurposed to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Instead of starting from scratch, scientists examined medicines that are currently used for other conditions to see whether any could help protect the brain. The study, funded by Alzheimer’s Society and led by the University of Exeter, was published in Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy. Among the drugs reviewed, a shingles vaccine (Zostavax) emerged as the most promising candidate. Viagra (sildenafil) and a medication used to treat motor neurone disease (riluzole) also showed strong potential. Why Drug Repurposing Matters Dementia is the leading cause…

I highly recommend that you watch this video of Dorian Yates training with Leroy Davis, Blood & Guts. There is no such thing as “I can’t” when it comes to building muscle and strength. Whatever arena you choose to excel in, progress is motivated by one thing and one thing only—the catalyst that triggers a cascade of metabolic events leading to the result you seek: can’t. What Is Training to Failure? To improve, the objective must be reaching the point where you physically cannot do more. In other words, you must fail. Failure—true failure (more on that in a minute)—is…

Lenz Therapeutics announced Monday the launch of a new telehealth prescribing option for its aceclidine eye drop Vizz to improve patient access to the medication. Consumers can use VIZZ.com, an integrated telehealth platform, to fill out an online medical history form and then connect with an independent network of eye care professionals to determine eligibility based on their medical history. Vizz prescriptions are automatically routed and fulfilled by the pharmaceutical company’s e-pharmacy partner. The telehealth visit costs consumers $35, according to investment bank Leerink Partners in a flash note.  Vizz is a 1.44% aceclidine solution used to treat presbyopia in…

Palomar Health and UC San Diego Health completed an agreement creating a joint powers authority to operate a new regional health system serving nearly one million people. The new health system operates under the name Palomar UC San Diego Health to serve communities of North San Diego County and the surrounding regions, the newly created organization announced July 2. Palomar UC San Diego Health combines the strengths of a community-based health system and an academic health system under a single unified governance structure, according to health system leadership. A year ago, the organizations said they were in talks to form…